News Release

Nearly 750 people, many of them clad in colorful costumes and some being pushed in specially-designed racers, took part in the fourth annual Trick or Trot 5K and Fun Run held at USA Moulton Tower on Oct. 21 on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

Superheroes including Captain America and Spiderman ran alongside video game icons such as PacMan and a swarm of googly-eyed ghosts pounding the pavement behind him. The family friendly event benefits the pediatric evaluation center at USA Children's & Women's Hospital where nearly 40,000 visits were recorded in 2015.

The race, which is held near sunset and follows a course across USA's campus in west Mobile, was launched four years ago by Dr. Jason Richerson who has competed in similar races at Walt Disney World. He wanted to offer the same kind of event on the Gulf Coast. Richerson serves as the Medical Director of the hospital's evaluation center.

After the races Friday evening, runners took part in trick-or-treating and children’s activities including pumpkin decorating, a photo booth, bounce houses, an outdoor movie, train rides, games and music.

The event raises funds for the restoration of the hospital's evaluation center, a 14-bed, Level III emergency department build in the 1950s and staffed 24-hours a day. The only one of its kind in the region, it is equipped and staffed to meet the unique needs of children and women with obstetrical and gynecological emergencies. Critically ill patients may be transported via air medical helicopter, area ambulance service or through the hospital’s neonatal or pediatric intensive care transport vehicles.